When I began taking harp lessons 15 1/5 years ago in Sao Paulo, Brasil, it was a dream come true and an answer to prayer. 

After a few years of lessons I was able to purchase my own Lyon and Healy Prelude harp. What an exciting day when the delivery truck arrived with that big box! 

I remember when my harp teacher, Laura, told me during a lesson that she had been asked to play for a wedding and a cocktail hour on the same day. Not being able to take both she strongly suggested I play the cocktail hour. She showed me her contracts, helped me know what to charge, how to handle it professionally and insisted I accept the gig when the groom's father called. 

That was the push I needed to get into the wedding music business. 

This year I joined Sidewalk Stages and have very much enjoyed performing
on the sidewalks of Chattanooga. 

Last weekend I was able to play downtown at the end of the Walnut Street Bridge.
I was very thankful for some shade in front of The Ice Cream Show,
across from the glass bridge that comes down from the Hunter Museum
and the Bluff View Art District.

A few people commented on how far away they could hear the harp -
before they even came around the corner at the end of the block
​and on the bridge over the Riverfront Parkway. 

I met a couple from Athens who are considering live performances in their garden center. It was fun to be able to give them some ideas from my own experiences as well as what I've learned from other street performers. 

All of Me by John Legend is a new piece in my repertoire and gathered the largest crowd of the day. A group of college students from Knoxville were down for the day and stopped to sing along and ask questions about the harp. 

This weekend I'm excited to be playing at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo! 
You can see the dates and times for performances by clicking here.  
​I would love for you to come by and say hi.
Pictures and video recordings are welcome.
​Please use #SidewalkStages and #BethanyStudios when posting on social media. Thank you! 

Look at the adorable baby bump! 
Christa is expecting her second little boy in September
​and I was excited to capture some shots of this stage. 

Big boy Caleb wanted to be in on the pictures, too. 
​Isn't he just the cutest?!